EP0341746B1 - Expression of hepatitis B S and preS2 proteins in methylotrophic yeasts - Google Patents

Expression of hepatitis B S and preS2 proteins in methylotrophic yeasts Download PDF

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EP0341746B1
EP0341746B1 EP89108632A EP89108632A EP0341746B1 EP 0341746 B1 EP0341746 B1 EP 0341746B1 EP 89108632 A EP89108632 A EP 89108632A EP 89108632 A EP89108632 A EP 89108632A EP 0341746 B1 EP0341746 B1 EP 0341746B1
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gene
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pichia pastoris
operably linked
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Gregory Patrick Thill
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Research Corp Technologies Inc
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C07K—PEPTIDES
    • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
    • C07K14/005—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from viruses
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P1/00—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system
    • A61P1/16—Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract or the digestive system for liver or gallbladder disorders, e.g. hepatoprotective agents, cholagogues, litholytics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61P—SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS
    • A61P31/00—Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
    • A61P31/12—Antivirals
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N15/00—Mutation or genetic engineering; DNA or RNA concerning genetic engineering, vectors, e.g. plasmids, or their isolation, preparation or purification; Use of hosts therefor
    • C12N15/09—Recombinant DNA-technology
    • C12N15/63—Introduction of foreign genetic material using vectors; Vectors; Use of hosts therefor; Regulation of expression
    • C12N15/79—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts
    • C12N15/80—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for fungi
    • C12N15/81—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for fungi for yeasts
    • C12N15/815—Vectors or expression systems specially adapted for eukaryotic hosts for fungi for yeasts for yeasts other than Saccharomyces
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K39/00—Medicinal preparations containing antigens or antibodies
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N2730/00—Reverse transcribing DNA viruses
    • C12N2730/00011—Details
    • C12N2730/10011—Hepadnaviridae
    • C12N2730/10111—Orthohepadnavirus, e.g. hepatitis B virus
    • C12N2730/10122—New viral proteins or individual genes, new structural or functional aspects of known viral proteins or genes

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the field of recombinant DNA biotechnology.
  • this invention relates to a process for the enhanced expression of antigenic particles consisting essentially of hepatitis B S protein and preS 2 protein in methylotrophic yeasts.
  • the present invention relates to novel DNA molecules and novel yeast strains transformed therewith.
  • HBV Hepatitis B virus
  • HBV genome is now known to consist of approximately 3.2 kilobase pairs of partially double stranded DNA with a DNA polymerase covalently attached enclosed in a 27nm nucleocapsid.
  • the nucleocapsid is enveloped in a lipoprotein coat consisting of cellular lipids and hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg); this is called the virion and is 43nm in diameter.
  • HBsAg hepatitis B surface antigens
  • the viral coat consists of three different but related surface proteins. These proteins are referred to generally as S, PreS 2 and PreS 1 proteins. Each virion is comprised of 300-400 S protein molecules and 40-80 preS 2 and preS 1 protein molecules.
  • the S protein consists of 226 amino acids and is the major component of normal viral lipoprotein coat.
  • the S protein is approximately 24-25 kilodalton (kDa), and may be referred to as P24 or P25.
  • the S protein may also be glycosylated to a 27-28 kilodalton glyco-protein referred to as GP27 or GP28.
  • the second HBsAG protein is the PreS 2 surface antigen, also referred to as the middle HBsAg polypeptide.
  • PreS 2 consists of 281 amino acids formed by the addition of 55 amino acids to the N-terminus of the S protein.
  • the PreS 2 protein is approximately 31 kilodaltons and may be referred to as the P31 protein.
  • the PreS 2 protein also has two glycosylated forms, 33 kilodaltons and 36 kilodaltons, referred to respectively as GP33 and GP36. This antigen is thought to elicit an additional antigenic response in persons who do not respond to S or who respond weakly to S.
  • the third HBsAg protein is the PreS 1 surface antigen, also referred to as the late HBsAg polypeptide.
  • PreS 1 consists of between 389-400 amino acids (depending on the antigenic subtype of HBV).
  • the sequence unique to PreS 1 consists of 108-119 amino acids which is added to the N-terminus of the complete PreS 2 protein.
  • the PreS 1 protein is approximately 43 kilodaltons and may also be referred to as the P43 protein.
  • PreS 1 also exists in a glycosylated form of 46 kilodaltons designated as GP46 glycoprotein.
  • PreS 2 protein has been found to be very susceptible to proteolysis in recombinant systems. Proteolysis yields two smaller protein fragments which may not retain PreS 2 's antigenicity. Additionally, the PreS 2 protein has been very difficult to express in recombinant systems. The expression level of PreS 2 is approximately 1/10th the level of the S protein produced in the same recombinant systems.
  • Yet another object of this invention is to provide novel vectors containing DNA sequences which code for S protein and PreS 2 protein.
  • a further object of this invention is to provide novel methylotrophic yeasts transformed with a vector or vectors capable of enhanced production of the HBV particle consisting of the S protein and an unglycosylated PreS 2 protein.
  • Still another object of this invention is the product produced by the process for the production of antigenic HBV particle consisting essentially of S protein and PreS 2 protein.
  • an antigenic HBV particle which comprises transforming a methylotrophic yeast with at least one host-compatible expression cassette containing a structural gene for the S protein and at least one vector-compatible expression cassette containing a structural gene for the PreS 2 protein and culturing the resultant transformants under conditions suitable to obtain the production of particles.
  • Figure 1 provides a representation of plasmid pA0801 which is a pBR322-derived plasmid without an Eco RI site at position 1, and which has a Bgl II site in place of the pBR322 Pvu II site, containing a 700bp Bgl II/ Xho I fragment of the 3' AOX1 termination sequence from pBSAGI5I (NRRL #18021).
  • Figure 2 provides a representation of plasmid pA0802 which is a derivative of plasmid pA0801 containing a promoter-gene-terminator expression cassette from plasmid pBSAGI5I (NRRL #18021) inserted at the Cla I site of plasmid pA0801.
  • Figure 3 provides a representation of plasmid pA0803 which is a pA0802 derived plasmid which has had the HBsAg coding sequence removed with a Stu I- Eco RI digest and has an Eco RI site inserted at the same site.
  • Figure 4 provides a representation of plasmid pA0811 which was derived from plasmid pA0803, by digesting pA0803 with Bam HI and inserting a 2.0kb fragment containing the Saccharomyces ARG4 gene.
  • Figure 5A provides a schematic of the construction of plasmids pA0801 and pA0802.
  • Figure 5B provides a schematic of the construction of plasmids pA0803 and pA0811.
  • FIG. 6 provides a representation of HBV which contains the PreS 2 gene of HBV seratype adw.
  • Plasmid AM6 is a derivative of the HBV genome shown in Figure 6, wherein the Bam HI-digested pBR322 plasmid is inserted at the Bam HI site at position 26.
  • Figure 7 provides a representation of plasmid pYM4, a pBR322-derived plasmid containing the Pichia pastoris HIS4 gene inserted at the Bam HI site. Brackets indicate that site was destroyed.
  • the HIS4 gene is on deposit within pYJ30 (NRRL B-15890).
  • Figure 8 provides a representation of plasmid pYM10.
  • PYM10 is a derivative of pYJ30 (NRRL B-15890) with the Bam HI site at 2959 destroyed.
  • the brackets in the Figure indicate a destroyed restriction site.
  • Figure 9 provides a representation of plasmid pA0804 which contains a linear integrative site-specific vector in the fragment clockwise from Bgl II to Bg lII.
  • the structural gene may be inserted in the unique Eco RI site of this plasmid.
  • the PreS 2 structural gene is well known in the art and has been sequenced by Lo, Characteristics of PreS 2 Region of Hepatitis B Virus , 135 Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 382 (1986). Numerous workers in this field have cloned this structural gene and expressed it such as Lo, and Valenzuela, Synthesis and Assembly in Yeast of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Particles Containing the Polyalbumin Receptor , 3 Biotechnology 317 (1985) to name only two. The structural gene may thus be obtained from workers in the field, synthesized or reisolated. It is also recognized that any PreS 2 seratype may be used for the practice of this invention.
  • the S structural gene is also well known in the art and has been also sequenced by Lo, supra.
  • the structural gene may be obtained commercially, synthesized or reisolated. It is also recognized that any S seratype may be used for the practice of this invention.
  • the PreS 2 structural gene seratype adw used for one embodiment of this invention was obtained from plasmid AM6.
  • Plasmid AM6 is a derivative of the HBV genome shown in Figure 6, wherein the pBR322 plasmid is inserted at the Bam HI site at position 26.
  • the nucleotide sequence of this PreS 2 structural gene is provided in Table 1.
  • the plasmids used herein may be cultured in any suitable E. coli host such as MC1061.
  • PreS 2 structural genes Two segments of PreS 2 structural genes were recovered from plasmid AM6 and the nucleotide sequence for the first 13 amino acids of the N-terminus was synthesized in vitro.
  • the synthesis of the nucleotide sequence used herein can be accomplished by either chemical or enzymatic means, such as chemical procedures based on phosphotriester, phosphite or cyanoethylphosphoramidite chemistry.
  • the C-terminus coding region comprising 75% of the structural gene for PreS 2 was obtained from plasmid AM6 by a Dra I digestion of the plasmid.
  • the Dra I digestion was performed using commercially available Dra I endonuclease (all endonuclease were used following the manufacturer's recommendation).
  • the Dra I fragments were then phenol extracted and ethanol precipitated.
  • oligomycin was then prepared according to standard DNA synthesis techniques and ligated to the Dra I fragments using T4 ligase in a blunt end ligation. The ligation was terminated by phenol extraction followed by ethanol precipitation. The resulting fragments were then digested with Stu I endonuclease to remove multimers of Stu I.
  • the Stu I-linkered fragments were then digested with Xba I.
  • the resultant Stu I/ Xba I fragment of approximately 600 bp containing the C-terminus coding region of the PreS 2 structural gene was isolated by gel electrophoresis.
  • the ligation mixture was then used directly to transform competent E. coli cells (MC1061), which were then grown in the presence of ampicillin. Successfully transformed colonies were selected and the plasmid DNA extracted by the method of Birnboim and Doly [Nucleic Acids Research 7 :1513 (1979)]
  • the extracted plasmid DNA was digested with Stu I, phenol extracted and ethanol precipitated. Eco RI linkers were prepared and ligated to the Stu I fragments. Excess linkers were removed by Eco RI digestion. These Eco RI linkered fragments were further digested with Xba I and electrophoresed to isolate the fragments containing the C-terminal portion of the preS 2 structural gene.
  • the Xba I- Eco RI digest was ligated into Xba I- Eco RI-cut pUC18.
  • the ligation mixture was transformed into competent E. coli cells (MC1061), which was then grown in the presence of ampicillin.
  • Transformed cells containing the C-terminal portion of the preS 2 structural gene were selected by fragment digestion analysis employing Cla I and Xba I.
  • the plasmid selected by this process was designated pHS2-B.
  • the middle portion of the preS 2 gene was recovered by first digesting plasmid AM6 with Xba I and Bam HI.
  • the desired 250 bp fragment was isolated by gel electrophoresis.
  • the 250 bp Xba I/ Bam HI fragment was then ligated into pUC18 which had been digested with Xba I and Bam HI and used to transform E. coli MC1061.
  • Cultures which grew in the presence of ampicillin were analyzed by recovering plasmid DNA and digesting it with Bam HI. Those plasmids which contained a 2.7 Kb linear fragment upon electrophoresis were deemed to have the desired 250 bp fragment.
  • the plasmid DNA was isolated and purified from the colony which was digested with Eco RI and Bam HI.
  • the vector band was isolated by electrophoresis.
  • the vector was then ligated with the following kinased double stranded oligonucleotide.
  • the ligation reaction mixture was used to transform E. coli MC1061 and colonies with the correct insert selected by ampicillin resistance. This plasmid was designated pPS2.
  • the N-terminus coding region of preS 2 was prepared as a synthetic oligonucleotide of the following sequence.
  • the middle portion of the gene was added by digesting the vector pTBO-2A with Pst I and Xba I; the insert was the 250 bp Pst I- Xba I fragment from pPS2. Transformants were characterized by the presence of a >300 bp Eco RI fragment as well as 290 bp Xba I/ Hind III fragment. The correct isolate was termed pTBO-3.
  • the complete preS 2 gene was achieved by inserting the Hind III/ Xba I fragment from pTBO-3 into Xba I/ Hind III-digested pHS2B. Ampicillin resistant transformants were characterized by the presence of a 825 bp Eco RI fragment. This construct was termed pTBO4.
  • Culturing the E. coli strain listed above may be accomplished by any suitable means.
  • General techniques for culturing E. coli are already known in the art and any adaptation of these methods to the specific requirements of the strains used herein is well within the abilities of those skilled in the art.
  • Recovery of plasmid DNA from E. coli can be accomplished by several techniques due to its compact size and closed spherical superhelical form. For example following the harvest, host cells may be pelleted by centrifugation and then resuspended and lysed. The lysate should be centrifuged to remove cell debris and the supernatant containing DNA retained. A phenol extraction can then be performed to remove most other contaminants from the DNA. The phenol-extracted DNA may then be further treated using a density gradient centrifugation or a gel filtration technique to separate the plasmid DNA from the bacterial DNA.
  • the techniques for achieving the separation alluded to above are well known in the art and numerous methods of performing these techniques are known.
  • Nuclease digestion of the plasmid may be accomplished by choosing appropriate endonucleases which will cut the selected plasmid in such a way as to facilitate the recovery of the preS 2 structural gene.
  • the endonucleases used will depend on the plasmid from which the preS 2 gene is to be excised. For example, the preS 2 structural gene contained in plasmid AM6 could be recovered as described in Example I.
  • Gel electrophoresis of DNA may be accomplished using numerous techniques known in the art such as P. G. Sealy and E. M. Southern, Gel Electrophoresis of Nucleic Acids - A Practical Approach (D. Rickwood and B. D. Hames, eds.) p. 39 (1982). Elution may also be accomplished using numerous techniques appropriate for the gel involved, such as electroelution, diffusion, gel dissolution (agarose gels) or physical extrusion (agarose gels). It is additionally recognized that elution may not be necessary with some gels such as high-quality, low melting temperature agarose.
  • fragment containing the preS 2 structural gene or fragments thereof is isolated, additional manipulations may be required before it is inserted in the vector. These manipulations may include, but are not limited to the addition of linkers or blunt-ending the fragment.
  • the S gene was constructed from the preS 2 gene by M13 mutagenesis.
  • M13 mutagenesis was used to delete the first 165 base pairs (encoding the first 55 amino acids of the preS 2 structural gene) resulting in the insertion of an Eco RI site immediately 5' of the ATG start codon for the S structural gene.
  • the techniques for M13 mutagenesis are well known to those skilled in the art, one representative technique which could be used is the technique of Zoller and Smith [Methods in Enzymology 100:468(1983)].
  • M13 vectors and the reagents needed for mutagenesis are available from commercial sources such as New England Biolabs.
  • Mutagenesis as described above was begun by first inserting the preS 2 structural gene into the double stranded circular replicative form, or RF, of the M13 vector (for its ease of use, m13mp18 was selected although other M13 vectors could have been used).
  • the preS 2 structural gene in plasmid pTB04 was propagated in E. coli MC1061, and the plasmid DNA was isolated utilizing the method of Birnboim and Doly, supra.
  • the pTB04 plasmid was then digested with Eco RI.
  • the approximately 825 base pair Eco RI fragment containing the preS 2 structural gene was isolated by gel electrophoresis. This fragment was then inserted into the Eco RI site of m13mp18.
  • the ligation mixture was then used to transform competent bacterial cells such as JM101 or JM103. Transformants were selected on the basis of a color reaction which indicated the desired fragment had interrupted the ⁇ -galactosidase gene and would form clear instead of blue plaques on indicator plates.
  • the orientation of the insertion may be determined by sequencing, endonuclease digestion and gel electrophoresis, or any other suitable technique.
  • One clone in which the initiator methionine had been inserted close to the M13 universal primer was isolated and used for the first mutagenesis.
  • oligonucleotide was synthesized in vitro consisting of the following nucleotide sequence:
  • the synthetic sequences used in the practice of this invention may be produced by either enzymatic or chemical means. Suitable means include but are not limited to chemical procedures based on phosphotriester, phosphite or cyanoethylphosphoramidite chemistry.
  • the single stranded form of M13 with the inserted structural gene was prepared.
  • the synthetic oligonucleotide which is partially complementary to the 5' flanking region of the preS 2 gene and the 5' end of the S coding region was then annealed to the single stranded M13 vector containing the preS 2 structural gene.
  • DNA synthesis is carried out in vitro with the Klenow fragment and deoxyoligonucleotide triphosphates at 4°C.
  • the partially complementary synthetic oligonucleotide was then extended around the circular M13 template. The reaction mix was used to transform competent JM101 or JM103 cells.
  • the transformants were screened by transferring the plaques to nitrocellulose and hybridizing with a radioactively labeled oligonucleotide such that mutant strands hybridized, while the original template did not. These mutants were then used to prepare a template, which was used to transform JM103. These transformants were again screened as before. Positives from the second screening were then sequenced and plaques with the correct sequence were identified. The double stranded replicative form of these colonies was then digested with Eco RI and a 678 base pair fragment was isolated containing the S structural gene. This sequence is provided in Table 2.
  • methylotrophic yeast vector such as a plasmid or linear site-specific integrative vector.
  • a suitable methylotrophic yeast vector such as a plasmid or linear site-specific integrative vector.
  • a suitable methylotrophic yeast vector such as a plasmid or linear site-specific integrative vector.
  • a suitable methylotrophic yeast vector such as a plasmid or linear site-specific integrative vector.
  • a suitable methylotrophic yeast vector such as a plasmid or linear site-specific integrative vector.
  • Preferable vectors for the practice of this invention are those compatible with the Pichia genus and most preferably Pichia pastoris .
  • Plasmids have long been one of the basic elements employed in recombinant DNA technology. Plasmids are circular extrachromosomal double-stranded DNA found in microorganisms. Plasmids have been found to occur in single or multiple copies per cell. Included in plasmid DNA is the information required for plasmid reproduction, i.e. an origin of replication is included for bacterial replication. One or more means of phenotypically selecting the plasmid in transformed cells may also be included in the information encoded in the plasmid. Phenotypic or selection markers, such as antibiotic resistance genes or genes which complement defects in the host biochemical pathways, permit clones of the host cells which have been transformed to be recognized, selected, and maintained.
  • each gene must be operably linked to a 5' regulatory region and 3' termination sequence, which forms the expression cassette which will be inserted into the host via a vector.
  • Operably linked-- refers to a juxtaposition wherein the components are configured so as to perform their function.
  • Termination sequence--sequences 3' to the stop codon which function to stabilize the mRNA such as sequences which elicit polyadenylation.
  • “Host compatible” refers to DNA sequences which will perform their normal function in hosts such as regulatory regions and 3' termination sequences derived from hosts.
  • integrative vectors such as the linear site-specific integrative vector of Cregg, as described in EP-A-0 226 752 (86 114 700.7).
  • Such vectors comprise a said arranged sequence of at least 1) a first insertable DNA fragment; 2) a selectable marker gene; and 3) a second insertable DNA fragment.
  • Insertable DNA fragments are at least about 200 nucleotides in length and have nucleotide sequences which are homologous to portions of the genomic DNA of the host.
  • the various components of the linear site-specific integrative vector are serially arranged forming a linear fragment of DNA such that the expression cassette and the selectable marker gene are positioned between the 3' end of the first insertable DNA fragment and the 5' end of the second insertable DNA fragment.
  • the first and second insertable DNA fragments are oriented with respect to one another in the serially arranged linear fragment as they are so oriented in the parent genome.
  • Nucleotide sequences useful as the first and second insertable DNA fragments are nucleotide sequences which are homologous with separate portions of the native genomic site at which genomic modification is to occur.
  • the first and second insertable DNA fragments employed will be sequences homologous with separate portions of the alcohol oxidase gene locus.
  • the two insertable DNA fragments must be oriented with respect to one another in the linear fragment in the same relative orientation as they exist in the parent genome.
  • nucleotide sequences which could be used as first and second insertable DNA fragments are nucleotide sequences selected from the group consisting of the alcohol oxidase (AOX1 ) gene, dihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS 1) gene, p40 gene and HIS4 gene.
  • AOX1 alcohol oxidase
  • DHAS 1 dihydroxyacetone synthase
  • p40 gene p40 gene
  • HIS4 HIS4 gene.
  • the AOX1 gene DHAS 1 gene, p40 gene and HIS4 gene are disclosed in EP-A-0 183 071 (85 113 737.2) incorporated herein by reference.
  • the first insertable DNA fragment may contain an operable regulatory region which may comprise the regulatory region utilized in the expression cassette.
  • the use of the first insertable DNA fragment as the regulatory region for an expression cassette is a preferred embodiment of this invention.
  • Figure 4 provides a diagram of a vector utilizing the first insertable DNA fragment as a regulatory region for a cassette.
  • an insertion site or sites and a 3' termination sequence may be placed immediately 3' to the first insertable DNA fragment.
  • This conformation of the linear site-specific integrative vector has the additional advantage of providing a ready site for insertion of a structural gene without necessitating the addition of a compatible 3' termination sequence.
  • the marker gene confers a phenotypic trait to the transformed organism which the host did not have, e.g., restoration of the ability to produce a specific amino acid where the untransformed host strain has a defect in the specific amino acid biosynthetic pathway or resistance to antibiotics and the like.
  • Exemplary selectable marker genes may be selected from the group consisting of the HIS4 gene and the ARG4 gene from Pichia pastoris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae , the invertase gene (SUC2 ) from Saccharomyces cerevisiae , or the neomycin phosphotransferase gene from the E. coli transposable elements Tn601 or Tn903 .
  • DNA sequences can also be incorporated into the vectors employed in the practice of the present invention, such as for example, bacterial plasmid DNA, bacteriophage DNA, and the like. Such sequences enable the amplification and maintenance of these vectors in bacterial hosts.
  • the first insertable DNA fragment does not contain a regulatory region, a suitable regulatory region will need to be inserted operably linked to the structural gene, in order to provide an operable expression cassette. Similarly if no 3' termination sequence is provided at the insertion site to complete the expression cassette, a 3' termination sequence will have to be operably linked to the structural gene to be inserted.
  • regulatory regions include but are not limited to yeast regulatory regions selected from the group consisting of acid phosphatase, galactokinase, alcohol dehydrogenase, cytochrome c, alpha-mating factor and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase regulatory regions isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; the primary alcohol oxidase (AOX1 ), dihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS 1), the p40 regulatory regions, and the HIS4 regulatory region derived from Pichia pastoris and the like.
  • yeast regulatory regions selected from the group consisting of acid phosphatase, galactokinase, alcohol dehydrogenase, cytochrome c, alpha-mating factor and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase regulatory regions isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; the primary alcohol oxidase (AOX1 ), dihydroxyacetone synthase (DHAS 1), the
  • Presently preferred regulatory regions employed in the practice of the present invention are those characterized by their ability to respond to methanol-containing media, such regulatory regions selected from the group consisting of AOX1 , DHAS1 , p40 and disclosed in EP-A-0 183 071 (85 113 737.2).
  • the most preferred regulatory region for the practice of this invention is the AOX1 regulatory region.
  • 3' termination sequences may be utilized in the expression cassette or be part of the vector as discussed above. 3' termination sequences may function to terminate, polyadenylate and/or stabilize the messenger RNA coded for by the structural gene when operably linked to a gene.
  • a few examples of illustrative sources for 3' termination sequences for the practice of this invention include but are not limited to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Hansenula polymorpha , and Pichia 3' termination sequences.
  • Preferred are those derived from Pichia pastoris such as those selected from the group consisting of the 3' termination sequences of AOX1 gene, DHAS1 gene, p40 gene and HIS4 gene. Particularly preferred is the 3' termination sequence of the AOX1 gene.
  • DNA sequences can also be incorporated into the vectors employed in the practice of the present invention, such as for example, bacterial plasmid DNA, bacteriophage DNA, and the like. Such sequences enable the amplification and maintenance of these vectors in bacterial hosts.
  • Another suitable vector would be an integrative vector which would comprise an arranged sequence of at least 1) an insertable DNA fragment, 2) a selectable marker gene, 3) an expression cassette and optionally 4) another insertable DNA fragment.
  • the components of the integrative vector are equivalent to those used in the linear integrative site-specific vector except there needs to be only one insertable DNA fragment, however integrative vectors are believed to integrate the entire vector by homologous recombination.
  • Preferred are circular integrative vectors such as is shown in Figure 4.
  • linear transformation vectors such as the Bgl II fragments of the constructs shown in Figure 9 and the circular form of the integrative vector in Figure 4.
  • insertion of a S or preS 2 structural gene into suitable vectors may be accomplished by any suitable technique which cleaves the vector chosen at an appropriate site or sites and results in at least one operable expression cassette containing a S or preS 2 structural gene being present in the vector.
  • Ligation of a S or preS 2 structural gene may be accomplished by any appropriate ligation technique such as utilizing T4 DNA ligase.
  • the initial selection, propagation, and optional amplification of the ligation mixture of a S or preS 2 structural gene and a vector is preferably performed by transforming the mixture into a bacterial host such as E. coli .
  • a bacterial host such as E. coli .
  • Suitable transformation techniques for E. coli are well known in the art.
  • selection markers and bacterial origins of replication necessary for the maintenance of a vector in a bacterial host are also well known in the art.
  • the isolation and/or purification of the desired plasmid containing a S or preS 2 structural gene in an expression system may be accomplished by any suitable means for the separation of plasmid DNA from the host DNA.
  • the vectors formed by ligation may be tested preferably after propagation to verify the presence of a S or preS 2 gene and its operable linkage to a regulatory region and a 3' termination sequence. This may be accomplished by a variety of techniques including but not limited to endonuclease digestion, gel electrophoresis, or endonuclease digestion-Southern hybridization.
  • At least two different compatible expression cassettes must be transformed into the host cell.
  • these two different expression cassettes may be inserted into the host such as placing two functional expression cassettes in a vector (viral, plasmid or linear site-specific integrative) and transforming a host with these vectors.
  • Another method of transforming a host with at least two different expression cassettes would be to transform the host with two different vectors, one containing the S expression cassette and the other containing the preS 2 expression cassette.
  • the transformation with two different vectors could be accomplished by simultaneous transformation (both vectors present in a single transformation event) or sequentially (one vector transformed into the host followed by a second transformation with the other vector in to the previously transformed host cells). Dual sequential transformation is currently the preferred method of transformation.
  • Transformation of plasmids or linear vectors into yeast hosts may be accomplished by suitable transformation techniques including but not limited to those taught by Hinnen et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 75, (1978) 1929; Ito et al, J. Bacteriol 153, (1983) 163; Cregg et al Mol. Cell Biol. 5 (1985) pg. 3376; or Sreekrishna et al, Gene , 59 (1987) pg. 115.
  • Preferable for the practice of this invention is the transformation technique of Cregg. It is desirable in one embodiment of this invention to utilize an excess of linear vectors and select for multiple insertions by Southern hybridization.
  • the yeast host for transformation may be any suitable methylotrophic yeast.
  • Methylotrophic yeast include but are not limited to yeast capable of growth on methanol selected from the genera consisting of Hansenula , Candida , Kloeckera , Pichia , Saccharomyces , Torulopsis and Rhodotorula .
  • a list of specific species which are exemplary of this class of yeasts may be found in C. Anthony, The Biochemistry of Methylotrophs , 269 (1982).
  • methylotrophic yeasts of the genus Pichia such as the auxotrophic Pichia pastoris GS115 (NRRL Y-15851) or PPF1 (NRRL-Y-18017).
  • Auxotrophic methylotrophic yeasts are also advantageous to the practice of this invention for their ease of selection. It is recognized that wild type methylotrophic yeast strains may be employed with equal success if a suitable transforming marker gene is selected, such as the use of SUC2 to transform Pichia pastoris to a strain capable of growth on sucrose or an antibiotic resistance marker is employed, such as G418 R gene.
  • a suitable transforming marker gene such as the use of SUC2 to transform Pichia pastoris to a strain capable of growth on sucrose or an antibiotic resistance marker is employed, such as G418 R gene.
  • the two selection markers in combination, to select for the stable transformation of S and preS 2 into the host.
  • host and vector combinations which assure that when two different selection markers are used in two different vectors each marker may be independently selected for.
  • One such host and vector combination would be the use of PPF1 (HIS4, ARG4 ) with vectors pA0804 (HIS4 marker) and pA0811 (ARG4 marker).
  • Another possible combination would be the use of an auxotroph defective in only one pathway in combination with a gene which is complementary to the defect and an antibotic resistance gene or a gene which generates a new phenotype such as SUC2 .
  • Transformed methylotrophic yeast cells can be selected for using appropriate techniques including but not limited to culturing previously auxotrophic cells after transformation in the absence of a biochemical product required (due to the cell's auxotrophy), selection by the detection of a new phenotype ("methanol slow"), or culturing in the presence of an antibiotic which is toxic to the yeast in the absence of a resistance gene contained in the transformant.
  • Isolated transformed methylotrophic yeast cells are cultured by appropriate fermentation techniques such as shake flask fermentation, high density fermentation or the techniques disclosed by Cregg et al , High-Level Expression and Efficient Assembly of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in the Methylotrophic Yeast, Pichia Pastoris , 5 Bio/Technology 479 (1987).
  • Expression may be accomplished by methods appropriate to the regulatory region employed.
  • the induction of expression may be accomplished by exposing the transformed cells in a nutrient media to an appropriate alcohol for the regulatory region employed.
  • the antigenic particles may be recovered in a crude form by lysing transformed cells which have been induced for a sufficient period, using standard techniques such as bead milling, followed by centrifugation sufficient to remove cellular debris.
  • standard techniques such as bead milling, followed by centrifugation sufficient to remove cellular debris.
  • the preferred method for purification for the practice of this invention involves carrying out the lysis of the transformed cells in the presence of buffered chaotrophic compounds, precipitating lipids and contaminate proteins from the supernatant obtained from the lysis, diafiltering and supernatant, treating the retentate with silica, washing contaminate proteins from the silica-absorbed hepatitis B surface antigen with a buffer having a pH in the range of 6-8, eluting the antigen from the silica with a buffered elutant having a pH in the range of 9.5 to 11 containing from 0.5 to 8 molarity of urea, subjecting the antige containing fractions so obtained to gel filtration and thereafter subjecting the antigen containing fraction to anionic exchange chromotography.
  • Plasmid AM6 is a derivative of the HBV genome shown in Figure 6, wherein the pBR322 plasmid is inserted at the Bam Hl site at position 26.
  • the vector pTB04 contains the gene encoding the 281 amino acid preS 2 form of the hepatitis B surface antigen.
  • the gene was constructed in three segments: the C-terminal 75% of the structural gene, an N-terminal linker encoding 13 amino acids, and the remaining central portion.
  • the plasmid AM6 containing the preS 2 gene, adw seratype, was the source of the C-terminal portion and the middle portion of the preS 2 gene used here.
  • the sequence is disclosed in Valenzuela et al., ICN-UCLA Symposia on Animal Virus Genetics , p. 57-70 (1980), with the following modification:
  • the C-terminal portion was isolated from the plasmid AM6 ( Figure 1) by digestion with Dra I, which cuts the HBV genome at two places, one of which is at the codon for the last amino acid of the surface antigen.
  • the ends were dephosphorylated by treatment with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase in a 30 ⁇ l reaction volume (1U enzyme at 37°C for 1 hour in 50m M Tris ⁇ Cl, pH 9.0, 1m M MgCl 2 , 100 ⁇ M ZnCl 2 , 1m M spermidine).
  • the entire digest was phenol extracted and ethanol precipitated (Maniatis et al.).
  • oligomycin I linker (AAGGCCTT) was synthesized by a DNA synthesizer from Applied Biosystems Model 380A using cyanoethylphosphoramidite chemistry. 1 ⁇ g of Stu I linkers was dissolved in distilled water. A 10ng aliquot was removed and labeled with phosphate in a 50 ⁇ l total volume containing 70m M Tris ⁇ Cl, pH 7.6, 10m M MgCl 2 , 5m M dithiothreitol, 1m M ATP and 10 units of polynucleotide kinase for 30 minutes at 37°C.
  • the linkers were heated to 90°C to terminate the enzymatic reaction, and slow-cooled to room temperature to facilitate double stranded DNA formation.
  • the Stu I linkers were added to the Dra I digest above and ligated with T4 ligase as follows. The reaction occurred in a 10 ⁇ l volume containing 6.6 M Tris ⁇ Cl, pH 7.6, 5m M MgCl 2 , 5m M dithiothrietol, 1m M ATP and 1 Weiss unit of T4 ligase for 1 hour at 23°C. The ligation reaction was terminated by phenol extraction followed by ethanol precipitation. A Stu I restriction digest was then performed with >50 U of enzyme overnight to remove multimers of the Stu I linker. The combination of Dra I digestion and Stu I linkers restored the translation stop codon removed by Dra I digestion.
  • the Stu I-linkered Dra I fragments were digested with Xba I, which yielded the desired Stu I/ Xba I fragment of approximately 600 bp; it was isolated from a 0.8% preparative agarose gel. This fragment contained the C-terminal 75% of the gene and was cloned into the vector pYM4 ( Figure 2) which had been digested with Xba I and Stu I, and dephosporylated as above.
  • pYM4 can be obtained from plasmid pYM30 by digesting pYM30 with Cla I and re-ligating the ends. pYM30 is available in an E.
  • coli host deposited at the Northern Regional Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois, accession number NRRl B-15890).
  • the 5.7 Kb restriction fragment of pYM4 was isolated from a 0.8% preparative agarose gel.
  • Vector pYM4 was employed solely for its convenient restriction sites. 50ng of the vector and 500 ng of the insert were ligated at 23°C for 1 hour in 50 mM Tris HCl pH 7.4, 10 mM MgCl 2 , 10mM dithiothreitol, 1 mM spermidine, 1 mM ATP with 1 Weiss Unit of T4 ligase in a 10 ⁇ l volume.
  • the ligation reaction was used directly to transform competent MC1061 cells ( E.
  • E. coli strain MC1061 is available at the Northern Regional Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois, accession number NRRL-18016. MC1061 has the following genotype: F(-), ara D139 delta (lacIPOZY) X74 galk galU hsr hsm(+) rpsL delta (araABOIC leu) 7697. MC1061 was rendered competent for transformation in the following manner. A mid-log culture (50 ml) of E. coli MC1061 was harvested by centrifugation in a Damon IEC DPR600 centrifuge at 3,000 rpm for 5 min. at 4°C and washed in 10 mM NaCl.
  • the culture was resuspended in 25ml of 50 mM CaCl 2 for 30 minutes at 0°C.
  • the cells were centrifuged as above and resuspended in 2ml of 50 mM CaCl 2 .
  • the ligation reaction was added to 100 ⁇ l of the competent cell suspension and incubated at 0°C on ice for 15 minutes, heat shocked at 37°C for 5 minutes and incubated at 23°C for 5 minutes.
  • the cells were plated directly onto LB agar plates containing 50 ⁇ g/ml ampicillin. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 10-16 hours. The resulting colonies were harvested and characterized by restriction digestion.
  • the plasmid pHS1 was digested with Stu l, dephosphorylated as above, phenol extracted and ethanol precipitated.
  • Eco RI linkers (GGAATTCC) synthesized as above were phosphorylated, self annealed, and ligated to this blunt ended DNA. Excess linkers were removed by overnight Eco RI digestion and the DNA was subsequently digested with Xba I following phenol extraction and ethanol precipitation. A doublet containing the 600 bp Xba I- Eco RI fragment of interest and a vector fragment of 582 bp (Xba I- Eco RI) was isolated by 1.0% preparative gel electrophoresis.
  • the middle portion of the preS 2 gene was cloned as follows.
  • the plasmid AM6 was digested with Xba I and Bam HI and a fragment of 250 bp was isolated from a 0.8% preparative agarose gel. This fragment (50 ng) was ligated as described above to 50 ng of pUC18 digested with Xba I and Bam HI and dephosphorylated.
  • the ligation reaction was used to transform E. coli strain MC1061 to ampicillin resistance as above.
  • Minipreps were digested with Bam HI and those containing a 2.7 Kb linear fragment were chosen.
  • One isolate was grown on large scale and DNA was isolated and purified as described. This clone is called pPS1.
  • the clone was cut with Eco RI and Bam HI and the vector band isolated and purified by 0.8% preparative agarose gel electrophoresis.
  • To this vector was ligated the following kinased double stranded oligonucleotide synthesized as above: The ligation reaction was used to transform E. coli MC1061 to ampicillin resistance. Minipreps were characterized by Pst I digestion. One clone containing a 250 bp Pst I fragment was chosen, a large scale DNA prep was performed, and the plasmid pPS2 was isolated.
  • the N-terminal region encompassing the Eco RI linker and the coding sequences for the first thirteen amino acids was generated from a synthetic oligonucleotide containing the following sequence synthesized as above: This fragment contained Hind III and Pst I ends as well as an Eco RI sequence preceding the ATG. This sequence was cloned into Hind III- and Pst I-digested and dephosphorylated pUC18 by ligating a ten-fold excess of the oligo into the vector and characterizing the transformants by the presence of a small Eco RI site ( ⁇ 75 bp). Such a clone was designated pTBO-2A.
  • the middle portion of the gene was added by digesting the vector pTB0-2A with Pst I and Xba I; the insert was the 250 bp Pst - Xba fragment from pPS2. Transformants were characterized by the presence of a >300 bp Eco RI fragment as well as 290 bp Xba I/ Hind III fragment. The correct isolate was termed pTB0-3.
  • the complete preS 2 gene was achieved by inserting the Hind III/ Xba I fragment from pTB0-3 into Xba I/ Hind III-digested pHS2B. Ampicillin resistant transformants were characterized as above by the presence of a 825 bp Eco RI fragment. This construct was termed pTB04.
  • a vector containing the gene coding for preS 2 was constructed from vectors pA0804 and pTB04 (Examples V and I, respectively). 2 ⁇ g of pA0804 was digested with Eco RI as before and treated with alkaline phosphatase in a 30 ⁇ l reaction volume (1 U enzyme at 37°C for 1 hour in 50m M Tris ⁇ Cl pH 9.0, 1m M MgCl 2 , 100 ⁇ M ZnCl 2 , 1m M spermidine). pTB04 was subjected to Eco RI digestion and an 825 bp fragment encoding the preS 2 gene was released. This fragment was purified using preparative agarose gel electrophoresis using 0.8% agarose.
  • 500ng of the fragment and 50ng of pA0804 were ligated using methods described in Example I.
  • the resulting vector was used to transform MC1061 to ampicillin resistance using the method described in Example I.
  • the DNA was isolated using the method of Birnboim and Doly [ Nucleic Acids Research 7:1513 (1979)] and characterized by digestion with Pst I.
  • a clone containing a 2.1 Kb Pst I fragment was determined to have the insert in the correct orientation and was designated pTB05A.
  • 1 ⁇ g of double stranded m13mp18 DNA (from Example I) was digested with Eco RI and dephosphorylated by treatment with calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase in a 30 ⁇ l reaction volume (1U enzyme at 37°C for 1 hour in 50m M Tris ⁇ HCl pH 9.0, 1m M MgCl 2 , 100 ⁇ M ZnCl 2 , 1m M spermidine).
  • the 825bp Eco RI fragment containing the preS 2 gene was isolated from pTB04 (see Example I) by digestion with Eco RI, and was then isolated from a 0.8% preparative agarose gel. 50ng of m13mp18 vector and 500ng of the Eco RI insert were ligated with T4 DNA ligase as follows.
  • the reaction occurred in a 10 ⁇ l volume containing 6.6 M Tris ⁇ Cl, pH 7.6, 5m M MgCl 2 , 5 m M dithiothrietol, 1m M ATP and 1 Weiss unit of T4 ligase for 1 hour at 23°C.
  • E. coli JM103 cells which had been made competent in the following manner.
  • a mid-log culture (50ml) of E. coli JM103 cells was harvested by centrifugation in a Damon IEC DPR600 clinical centrifuge at 3,000 rpm for 5 min. at 4°C and washed in 10m M NaCl.
  • the culture was resuspended in 25ml of 50 m M CaCl 2 for 30 min. at 0°C.
  • the cells were centrifuged as above and resuspended in 2ml of 50m M CaCl 2 .
  • the ligation reaction was added to 100 ⁇ l of the competent cell suspension and incubated at 0°C on ice for 15 minutes, heat shocked at 37°C for 5 minutes, and incubated at 23°C for 5 minutes.
  • the cells were then plated in soft agar containing IPTG and X-gal and spread on to LB media, and incubated at 37°C overnight, and the plates were screened for clear plaques.
  • double-stranded DNA was prepared and separate digests with Eco RI and Xba I were performed.
  • a DNA sequence encoding a 226 amino acid form of HBsAg (the S form) was created by deleting the 165 bp encoding the first 55 amino acids of preS 2 . This was accomplished by subjecting the template pTB047 (from Example III) to M13 primer - directed deletion mutagenesis using the following oligonucleotide primer: This was synthesized using an Applied Biosystems DNA Synthesizer Model 380A using cyanoethylphosphoramidite chemistry. Mutagenesis was performed according to the following.
  • a large scale miniprep was performed on positive plaques which had been incubated for approximately 7 hours in 2 mls of LB media.
  • 25 mls of LB media was inoculated with 250 ⁇ l of freshly grown JM103 cells.
  • the culture was grown for 1 hour and inoculated with 100 ⁇ l of the 7 hour old plaque culture.
  • the culture was then grown overnight.
  • the culture was centrifuged twice at 10,000 rpms for 10 minutes on a Sorvall RC-5B rotor SS34 to clear the supernatant.
  • 3.5 ml of 20% PEG/2.5M NaCl was added to the culture and it was incubated for 5 hours at 4°C. The culture was then centrifuged as above for 10 minutes.
  • M13 recombinant template was mixed with 20 pmole of the oligonucleotide primer, and 1 ⁇ l of solution A. dH 2 O was added to give a final volume of 10 ⁇ l. The sample was incubated at 65°C for 5 minutes, and the temperature was then reduced to 37°C for 30 minutes.
  • Solution B 1 ⁇ l 10 mM dATP 1 ⁇ l 10 mM dCTP 1 ⁇ l 10 mM dGTP 1 ⁇ l 10 mM dTTP 1 ⁇ l 5u/ ⁇ l Klenow 2 ⁇ l dH 2 O 3 ⁇ l 20 ⁇ l ⁇ and allowed to incubate at 15°C for at least 4-6 hours.
  • the sample was then diluted 1:40 with dH 2 O. 5 ⁇ l was used to transform 6 tubes of competent JM103 cells (200 ⁇ l each). The transformed JM103 cells were plated on LB media in a soft agar overly. The positive plaques were then screened by filter hybridization. A hybridization probe complementary to the oligonucleotide primer was synthesized as described above. 15 pmole of this probe was incubated at 65°C for 10 minutes in a total volume of 25 ⁇ l. 3 ⁇ l of 10 X kinase buffer (Maniatis et al.), 1 ⁇ l 10mM ATP, and 1 ⁇ l polynucleotide kinase (100 U/ ⁇ l) were added. The sample was incubated for 1 hour at 37°C and run over a G-50 Sephadex column. The first peak off the column was collected.
  • 10 X kinase buffer Maniatis et al.
  • 1 ⁇ l 10mM ATP 1 ⁇ l poly
  • Nitrocellulose filters were prepared for hybridization with the above probe by placing and orienting the filters on the transformation plates for 5-10 minutes. The filters were then removed from the plates and floated on a denaturing solution (1.5M NaCl, 0.5N NaOH) for 3 minutes with the backside on top of the solution. The filters were submerged in the denaturing solution for 5 minutes, and then transferred to a neutralizing solution (1M Tris ⁇ HCl,pH 8, 1.5M NaCl) for 5 minutes. The neutralized filter was then transferred to 2XSSC (1XSSC is 150 mM NaCl, 15mM NaCitrate) for 5 minutes. The filter was air dried and baked for 1 hour at 80°C under a vacuum.
  • a denaturing solution 1.5M NaCl, 0.5N NaOH
  • the filters were prehybridized for 1 hour at 65°C in a sealed plastic bag containing 5 ml of hybridization buffer, 10X Denhardts (1X Denhardts is 0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% polyvinyl pyrrolidone, 0.02% bovine serum albumin) 0.5% SDS, and 5XSSPE.
  • the buffer was replaced with 5 ml/filter of fresh hybridization buffer.
  • the radioactive complementary oligonucleotide previously prepared was first incubated at 65°C for 5 minutes, and then enough probe was added to the fresh hybridization buffer containing the filter to give 1X10 6 cpm/ml. Hybridization was performed at 5°C below the calculated melting temperature of the probe for 4 hours.
  • the filters were then washed three times for 10 minutes each with 6XSSC at room temperature. The filters were finally washed one time with 6XSSC at the hybridization temperature. The filters were placed on a 3 MM Whatman paper to dry, and then exposed to film (marked for orientation) overnight. Three positive plaques were each picked and grown separately in 2 mls of LB broth at 37°C for 5 hours.
  • Mini template preps were performed on each of these positive plaques.
  • One ml of the plaque culture was transferred into an Eppendorf tube and centrifuged for 5 minutes in an Eppendorf Model 5414 Centrifuge. 800 ⁇ l of the supernatant was recovered and 200 ⁇ l of 20% PEG 2.5M Nacl added thereto. The supernatant was then incubated at room temperature for 10 minutes, and centrifuged for 10 minutes in the Eppendorf centrifuge. The supernatant was removed by aspiration and the pellet was redissolved in 200 ⁇ l TE (10mM Tris, pH 7.4; 1mM ETDA).
  • the redissolved pellet was then phenol/chloroform extracted and the template DNA in the upper aqueous phase was precipitated by the addition of a LiCl solution until a 0.8M concentration of LiCl was reached. 21 ⁇ 2-3 volumes of ethanol was added and the sample was precipitated on dry ice for 5 minutes. The precipitate was centrifuged for 10 minutes as described above. The final volume was brought up to 150 ⁇ l TE.
  • a large scale miniprep was performed on positive plaques which had been incubated for approximately 7 hours in 2 mls of LB media.
  • 25 mls of LB media was inoculated with 250 ⁇ l of freshly grown JM103 cells.
  • the culture was grown for 1 hour and inoculated with 100 ⁇ l of the 7 hour old plaque culture.
  • the culture was then grown overnight, and then centrifuged twice at 10,000 rpms for 10 minutes on a Sorvall RC-5B with a SS34 rotor to clear the supernatant.
  • 3.5 ml of 20% PEG/2.5M NaCl was added to the culture and it was incubated for 5 hours at 4°C. The culture was then centrifuged again as above for 10 minutes.
  • pA0804 is a vector capable of site - specific disruption of the P. pastoris AOX1 locus. It contains the following elements: the AOX1 promoter and transcription terminator separated by a unique Eco R1 cloning site; the wild-type Pichia HIS4 gene; a genomic segment of DNA from the 3' end of the AOX1 locus downstream of the transcription terminator; sequences necessary for selection and replication in a bacterial host.
  • the components are arranged such that a restriction digest of the vector releases a DNA fragment containing the expression cassette and selective marker whose ends are homologous to a continuous portion of the genome, the AOX1 locus, and can be stably inserted into the chromosome during transformation.
  • pA0804 is a derivative of the hepatitis B surface antigen expression plasmid pBSAGI5I (NRRL 18021). It was assembled in a pBR322-based plasmid containing the following modifications. pBR322 was digested with Eco RI, followed by phenol extraction and ethanol precipitation. The ends were then filled in using Klenow polymerase.
  • This plasmid was further modified to incorporate a BgI II site at the Pvu II site.
  • the plasmid was digested with Pvu II and phosphorylated BgI II linkers (GAGATCTC) were added in a blunt end ligation. The excess linkers were removed by overnight BgI II digestion and the plasmid was reclosed using T4 DNA ligase. The ligation reaction was used to transform E. coli MC1061 to ampicillin resistance. Transformants were characterized by restriction digestion with BgI II to indicate the presence of a BgI II site and with a Sal I/ BgI II digest indicating that the BgI II site was at the former Pvu II site. This plasmid was designated pBR322 BgI II-RI.
  • pA0804 and pA0811 were created by scavenging DNA fragments from pBSAGI5I and assembling them in pBR322 BgI II-RI.
  • the 3' targeting segment of the AOX1 locus was removed from pBSAGI5I as a 700 bp BgI II/ Xho I fragment, of which 50 ng were ligated to 5 ng of the parent plasmid which had been digested with Sal I and BgI II.
  • the ligation reaction was used to transform E. coli MC1061 to ampicillin resistance. Transformants were characterized by a Bam HI/ BgI II digest of mini prep DNA as described in Example I, such that an approximately 900 bp fragment was observed. One such transformant was chosen and DNA was purified on large scale.
  • Such a plasmid was named pA0801.
  • the plasmid pBSAGI5I was digested with Cla I and a 2.1 Kb fragment containing the promoter-gene-terminator expression cassette was isolated.
  • the 2 ⁇ g of pA0801 was digested with Cla I and treated with alkaline phosphatase in a 30 ⁇ l reaction volume (1 U enzyme at 37°C for 1 hour in 50 mM Tris HCl pH 9.0, 1 mM MgCl 2 , 100 ⁇ M ZnCl 2 , 1 mM spermidine).
  • 50 ng of the Cla I fragment was ligated to 5 ng of the pA0801 vector and the ligation reaction was used to transform E. coli MC1061 to ampicillin resistance.
  • These colonies were characterized by BgI II digestion to ascertain that the fragment was inserted and was in the correct orientation yielding a spectrum of 2.3 and 2.7 Kb fragments.
  • This single transformant was called pA0802.
  • the plasmid pA0802 was digested at the unique Stu I site at the 3' end of the hepatitis B surface antigen gene.
  • Eco RI linkers were phosphorylated, annealed, and ligated to the Stu I digested plasmid. Excess linkers were removed by overnight Eco RI digestion. The Eco RI digestion also cuts at the 5' end of the HBsAg structural gene, hence removing the gene.
  • the promoter and transcription terminator were joined by a unique Eco RI cloning site. Ampicillin resistant transformants were characterized again by BgI II digestion and a transformant with the correct spectrum (2.3 & 2.1 Kb) was identified and called pA0803.
  • the plasmid pA0803 was digested with Bam HI and the 2.7 Kb BgI II fragment from pYM10 ( Figure 8) was isolated by preparative agarose gel electrophoresis and ligated to the Bam HI-digested dephosphorylated pA0803.
  • pYM10 is a derivative of pYJ30 (NRRL B-15890) with the Bam HI site at 2959 destroyed].
  • Transformants were characterized by the presence of an Xba I site yielding a fragment of 7.4 Kb and a BgI II spectrum of 2.3 and 5.1 Kb. This plasmid was called pA0804.
  • a second related plasmid containing the Saccharomyces ARG4 gene instead of the Pichia HIS4 gene was also constructed.
  • One possible source of the ARG4 gene is the 2.0 Kb Hpa I fragment obtained from pYM25, a plasmid in an E. coli host, NRRL B-18015. This strain is available from the Northern Regional Research Center of the United States Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois.
  • the fragment was purified from a 0.8% preparative agarose gel. 500 ng of the fragment was ligated to 50ng of Bam HI digested, filled in pA0803 (see Example V). The ligation reaction was used to transform E. coli MC1061 to ampicillin resistance. Transformants were characterized by Bgl II digestion, and the correct insert size was verified by agarose gel electrophoresis. This plasmid was called pA0811.
  • the cells were pelleted using the microfuge for 1 minute at high speed, and resuspended in 0.5ml of 50m M Tris ⁇ HCl pH 7.4 and 20m M EDTA. 0.05ml of 10% SDS was added, the sample mixed, and incubated at 65°C for 30 minutes. 0.2ml of 5 M potassium acetate was added and the sample was incubated on ice for 60 minutes. The sample was again spun in a microfuge at high speed for 5 minutes.
  • the supernatant was transferred to a fresh 1.5ml microfuge tube and 1 volume of isopropanol at room temperature was added.
  • the sample was mixed and allowed to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes, then spun very briefly (10 seconds) in a microfuge at high speed.
  • the supernatant was poured off and the pellet air dried.
  • the sample was spun in a microfuge at high speed to pellet the DNA. The supernatant was then poured off, the pellet dried and resuspended in 0.1-0.3ml of 10m M Tris ⁇ Cl, pH 7.4 and 1m M EDTA. (Note: Before using the DNA in a restriction digest, it may be necessary to spin the solution for 15 minutes at high speed in the microfuge to remove any insoluble material which may inhibit the digestion).
  • Two mixed particle strains containing expression cassettes encoding the S (p24) and preS 2 (p31) forms of the Hepatitis B surface antigen were constructed as follows. Pichia pastoris PPF1 (arg4 his4 ) was transformed with 1 ⁇ g of uncut pHB6 using the spheroplast transformation technique described by Cregg et al., Bio/Technology 5,479 (1987). (pHB6 is a subclone of pA0811 containing the S gene described in Example IV and VI). Transformants demonstrating arginine prototrophy were regenerated on minimal media containing histidine and screened for the site of integration as follows.
  • DNA from these transformants and from wild type Pichia pastoris was prepared as described in Example VII, digested with Eco R1 and subjected to electrophoresis on 0.8% agarose. Southern blots of these DNAs were performed (Maniatis et al. 1983) and the filters hybridized with an AOX1 specific probe (pPG4.0 NRRL# 15868) or with a HIS4 specific probe (pYM4). pYM4 is described in Example I. The site of integration was determined by comparing the spectrum of hybridization of a given transformant with the wild type strain. Any alteration in the size of the wild type band was evidence of integration at that locus. The transformant containing an integration at the 5'-end of the AOX1 locus, and still containing a wild type AOX1 gene as well as a HIS4 mutation, was called PPF1/pHB6.
  • Example XI Example XII
  • the transformants were characterized as described above for pHB6.
  • One resulting strain was called PPF1/pTB012-1, and expressed one copy of both the p24 and p31 proteins.
  • Particle expression levels are shown in Table 3.
  • Table 3 Strain Cassette Proteins Particle Expression Levels (AUSRIATM) ⁇ 150-200 PPF1/pTB012-1 1 preS 2 p31 ⁇ g particle/ml lysate 1 S p24 ⁇ 150-200 PPF1/pTB012-2 2 preS 2 p31 ⁇ g particle/ml lysate 1 S p24
  • Protein extracts were prepared from these aliquots to be used for an AUSRIATM (see Example XI) and Western blot analysis [Towbin et al. PNAS 76, 4350 (1979)].
  • Antibody was Lot #702106 from Calbiochem, used at a 1:1000 dilution.
  • the mixture was cooled on ice for at least one minute. After lysing was completed, the solution of broken cells was removed and the glass beads were washed with 0.35ml of lysing buffer. The two solutions were then combined and centrifuged using the Sorvall RC-5B at 13,000 rpm, 4°C, to remove cellular debris. Protein samples were then assayed by AUSRIATM and by Western blot analysis. Protein concentration was determined by the Lowry method after TCA precipitation.
  • Fermentations were performed as follows. Five hundred ml of Yeast Nitrogen Base (YNB) +2% glycerol in a Fernbach Flask was inoculated from a seed culture or a minimal glucose plate of the culture. (Plates may be maintained by monthly passage with no detectable strain deterioration). After one day of shaking at 200 rpm and 30°C, the inoculum was seeded into 7.5-liter minimal medium (Table 4) containing 480g glycerol, 40 mg biotin, and 40ml trace salts solution (Table 5). The fermentor was maintained at 30°C and pH 5.5 while the culture grew in batch mode until the glycerol was exhausted (about 24 hours). The pH was controlled by the addition of NH 3 gas.
  • Glycerol exhaustion was noted by a sharp decline in the CO 2 evolution and a sharp rise in the dissolved oxygen (or decrease in oxygen uptake rate).
  • a methanol feed was initiated at 18 ml/hr to bring the fermentor level up to ⁇ 0.5% MeOH, and maintained at this level. The flow rate was adjusted based on the actual methanol consumption rate. Twenty ml aliquots of trace salts were added at approximately two day intervals to maintain the methanol consumption rate. The level of HBsAg increased for approximately 7-8 days on the methanol feed.
  • Table 4 Medium Composition (7.5-Liter) 480 g glycerol 40 mg biotin 134 ml H 3 PO 4 (85%) 5.8 g CaSO 4 ⁇ 2H 2 O 92 g H 2 SO 4 75 g MgSO 4 ⁇ 7H 2 O 21 g KOH Table 5 IM 1 Trace Salts Solution Cupric Sulfate ⁇ 5H 2 O 0.06 Potassium Iodide 0.08 Manganese Sulfate ⁇ H 2 O 0.30 Sodium Molybdate 0.20 Boric Acid 0.02 Zinc Sulfate ⁇ H 2 O 2.00 Ferric Chloride ⁇ H 2 O 4.8 Sulfuric Acid 5.00 ml/liter
  • the Abbott AUSRIATM assay kit was used to measure the amount of HBsAg synthesized by the Pichia production system.
  • the antibody contained in the kit binds to HBsAg particles, not HBsAg monomers. All dilutions were made in 1.0% BSA, 0.02% Na Azide in phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4. The procedure followed was essentially as outlined in the kit instructions. The standard curve was prepared as follows. Tube # ng.
  • the beads were first added to each well, followed by the buffer, and finally the standard (positive control) or the diluted sample. Unknowns were diluted to obtain signals within the range f the standard curve. Estimates of sample concentrations in mg/ml were typically divided by 0.02 to obtain the dilution to be used. Usually 100 ⁇ l of the sample was added to the well containing 100 ⁇ l of buffer. The wells were covered and the tray gently tapped against the bench top. The samples were then incubated overnight at room temperature to attain maximum binding efficiency. The next morning each well was washed 4 times with deionized water using the Pentawash system provided by Abbott Labs.

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EP89108632A 1988-05-13 1989-05-12 Expression of hepatitis B S and preS2 proteins in methylotrophic yeasts Expired - Lifetime EP0341746B1 (en)

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US5032516A (en) * 1985-10-25 1991-07-16 Phillips Petroleum Company Pichia pastoris alcohol oxidase II regulatory region
PL168408B1 (pl) * 1989-08-03 1996-02-29 Smithkline Beecham Biolog Sposób wytwarzania stransformowanego mikroorganizmu PL
GB9007416D0 (en) * 1990-04-02 1990-05-30 Wellcome Found Expression of heterologous protein in yeast
US6197548B1 (en) 1990-04-02 2001-03-06 Medeva Pharma Limited Transformed Pichia expressing the pertactin antigen
EP0521348A1 (en) * 1991-06-18 1993-01-07 Korea Institute Of Science And Technology Chimeric antibody with specificity for hepatitis B virus pre-S2 surface antigen and cell line producing same
LT3988B (en) 1992-02-17 1996-06-25 Fermentas Biotech Inst Recombinant plasmides pfs19, pfps2-48 and pjlfds1 codingsynthesis of human hepatite b of surfice virus antigenes, methods fof producing thereof
CA2101610A1 (en) * 1992-08-07 1994-02-08 William D. Prevatt Production of bacillus entomotoxins in methylotrophic yeast
GB9402832D0 (en) * 1994-02-15 1994-04-06 Smith Kline Beecham Biolog S A Novel process
US5716808A (en) * 1995-11-09 1998-02-10 Zymogenetics, Inc. Genetic engineering of pichia methanolica
US5955349A (en) * 1996-08-26 1999-09-21 Zymogenetics, Inc. Compositions and methods for producing heterologous polypeptides in Pichia methanolica
JP2000500014A (ja) * 1995-11-09 2000-01-11 ザイモジェネティクス，インコーポレイティド ピヒア・メタノリカ中で異種ポリペプチドを生産するための組成物と方法
MX9605082A (es) 1996-10-24 1998-04-30 Univ Autonoma De Nuevo Leon Levaduras metilotroficas modificadas geneticamente para la produccion y secrecion de hormona de crecimiento humano.
EP1773303A2 (en) * 2004-05-25 2007-04-18 Chimeracore, Inc. Self-assembling nanoparticle drug delivery system
CN1704475A (zh) * 2004-05-31 2005-12-07 成都生物制品研究所 羧端含前s2免疫决定簇的乙肝表面抗原融合基因及蛋白质
CA2589591A1 (en) * 2004-07-22 2006-03-09 Glycofi, Inc. Malate synthase regulatory sequences for heterologous gene expression in pichia
CN100381171C (zh) * 2004-12-30 2008-04-16 成都生物制品研究所 含前s1、前s2和s抗原决定簇的乙肝表面抗原复合颗粒
JP2009533350A (ja) * 2006-04-07 2009-09-17 キメロス， インコーポレイテッド Ｂ細胞悪性疾患を処置するための組成物および方法
EP2134740A2 (en) * 2007-04-09 2009-12-23 Chimeros, Inc. Self-assembling nanoparticle drug delivery system
WO2010120874A2 (en) 2009-04-14 2010-10-21 Chimeros, Inc. Chimeric therapeutics, compositions, and methods for using same
EP2747774A4 (en) 2011-09-09 2015-02-11 Biomed Realty L P METHOD AND COMPOSITIONS FOR CONTROLLING VIRUS PROTECTION
CN116064533A (zh) 2012-10-23 2023-05-05 基因工具股份有限公司 用于切割靶dna的组合物及其用途

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GR76274B (pl) * 1981-08-04 1984-08-04 Univ California
EP0401941A3 (en) * 1984-07-11 1991-04-17 Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. Hepatitis b virus surface antigen and production thereof
US4895800A (en) * 1985-11-26 1990-01-23 Phillips Petroleum Company Yeast production of hepatitis B surface antigen
US4816564A (en) * 1986-01-31 1989-03-28 Merck & Co., Inc. Method for producing hepatitis B virus proteins in yeast
JPS62236496A (ja) * 1986-04-07 1987-10-16 Green Cross Corp:The ＨＢｓＡｇの製造方法
US4963483A (en) * 1987-10-13 1990-10-16 Merck & Co., Inc. Method for producing hepatitis B virus proteins in yeast
IL89991A0 (en) * 1988-04-25 1989-12-15 Phillips Petroleum Co Expression of hepatitis b pres2 protein in methylotrophic yeasts

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FI892312A0 (fi) 1989-05-12
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JP2614314B2 (ja) 1997-05-28
DE68927921T2 (de) 1997-07-17
AU3473489A (en) 1989-11-16
DK235289D0 (da) 1989-05-12
US5650296A (en) 1997-07-22
HUT52557A (en) 1990-07-28
FI104639B (fi) 2000-03-15
NO300465B1 (no) 1997-06-02
PL279426A1 (en) 1990-01-22
IL90161A0 (en) 1989-12-15
YU98689A (sh) 1992-07-20
MX26715A (es) 1993-10-01
KR100193701B1 (ko) 1999-06-15
JPH0227990A (ja) 1990-01-30
IE81158B1 (en) 2000-05-03
NO891921L (no) 1989-11-14
DK235289A (da) 1989-11-14
US5670630A (en) 1997-09-23
DD285373A5 (de) 1990-12-12
FI19992546A (fi) 1999-11-29
IN171696B (pl) 1992-12-12
HU207532B (en) 1993-04-28
EP0341746A2 (en) 1989-11-15
AU618596B2 (en) 1992-01-02
NZ228948A (en) 1991-06-25
CN1038668A (zh) 1990-01-10
CA1340617C (en) 1999-06-29
FI892312A (fi) 1989-11-14
FI107265B (fi) 2001-06-29
GR3023985T3 (en) 1997-10-31
ATE151109T1 (de) 1997-04-15
IE891563L (en) 1989-11-13
KR890017361A (ko) 1989-12-15
EP0341746A3 (en) 1991-04-24
DE68927921D1 (de) 1997-05-07
PL161997B1 (pl) 1993-08-31
ES2101676T3 (es) 1997-07-16
PT90553A (pt) 1989-11-30

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